Need Help! How to of Cairo

[amity]

I really want to go to Cairo in December, but I can't find any assistance (tours, guides, etc.) I know it's the off season, but this is my graduation present to myself and I will be working 55 hours a week starting in January.

I've never been out of the country. I can speak enough Arabic to get me by (I think) but it still sucks because right now I am going alone...

So, um, help?

Anyone have any contacts?
Anyone have suggestions on who/what to see (prices for privates/semi private lessons)
Do I have to pay taxes/export fees for the mad amount of costumes I want to bring back?
I have my passport, do I need anything else?
Cheap airlines?
Guided tours?

[tigerb]

We're going in March with this company:
http://www.gotouregypt.com/

And I also had recommendations for this company:
http://www.goaheadtours.com/master/d...p?tourcode=ENE

But these may be more expensive than you want. I know many dancers here have not bothered with tour companies at all, so I hope they have some good advice for you.

[Michelle75]

Hannan Sultans site says they use go tour egypt. She has the information here on her site. http://www.hannandance.com/egypt.htm

[HubicRuzz]

I think Amera Eid now has an apartment to rent out with views of the Pyramids.

http://www.ameraspalace.com.au/archi..._to_egypt.html

Accomodation in Egypt for Belly Dancers!

INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP TOURS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THOSE WANTING TO EXPERIENCE CAIRO.
Amera can individually create and accomodate small private groups OR Individuals on request
please email Amera at amera_cairo@hotmail.com or ameras@ameraspalace.com.au
We have private accomodation with Views to the Pyramids available, please dont hesitate to contact us if you need a flat to rent, or are visiting Egypt for the first time and want a personalised Belly Dance Tour !

[amity]

Ooo emailing her! Thanks so much!

[bul_bul_ksa]

don't forget to read Eshe's experiences on the other thread Checking in from Cairo

[Lauren_]

Amity, I have a bunch of notes I compiled before my trip, with phone numbers & e-mail addresses for as many teachers as I could get and a list of who's-dancing-where which is now over a year out of date but might still contain a clue here or there. PM me your e-mail address & I'll send it to you. (I'll have to open it up & try to make it legible first, it's very random right now as I cut & pasted from multiple sources)

[outi]

There is a lot of people who can help you, especially dance-wise.

I will have some information in my new web site soon - ins' allah. It will be more fun if you find out about some other dancer traveling at the same time, but it's no problem if don't. Just don't worry.
If you like, you can ask help from me too. There is several people who can assist you with all the stuff here in Cairo for a fee. I mean the ones which are recommended by other people - not the ones you find on the street.

You can email me or give me a call when you get here.

Outi

[dancingrrrlz]

Astryd de Michelle does tours but I believe she'll also help people one-on-one.
http://www.danceastryd.com/

Leyla Lanty has a great personal shopper, Ahmed.
http://www.leylalanty.com

The weather should be nice in December, right?

[*Shira*]

This past summer when I was in Egypt with Morocco's tour group, she used Treasure Egypt to handle the tour agency things, and they did a great job. I've also had a positive experience with Lady Egypt.

I have worked with Leyla Lanty's friend Ahmed on several of my trips, and he's great. I had him take me to Kerdassa this past summer to shop for gallabiyas. In the past, he has taken me to Mohammed Ali Street for drum shopping, and Khan al Khalili for gold shopping. When you tell him what you want, he helps you pick a good quality item, and then he negotiates the price for you. At the end, he quotes a fee to you that includes the price he wangled out of the merchant plus a commission for himself, and it's still a lower price than what most of us would be capable of achieving on our own.

You can buy your visa to enter Egypt at the airport when you arrive. No need to get it in advance in the U.S. The first time I went to Egypt, I went to the Egyptian consulate in San Francisco to get my visa, and it was a hassle because I had to leave my passport with them, then return a couple of weeks later to pick it up. Getting the visa at the airport was much simpler. If I recall correctly, it costs about $15.

A big mistake a lot of novice travelers make is packing too much stuff. For a 2-week trip, I take only 3 different outfits, and just keep rotating between them, rinsing stuff out in the sink. This leaves more room in the luggage for purchases!

For ideas on how to stay healthy while there, see the multi-part series on my web site at www.shira.net/advice.htm . I tackle all the fun subjects - jet lag, diarrhea, catching colds, etc., discussing how to avoid the problems, and what to do if you get them anyway.

[Bellydancingcaroline]

Normally, I only travel with hand luggage, the largest hand luggage wheely case they allow. When going to Egypt, I bring my normal hand luggage bag, and put it inside a huge empty oyster case. The oyster case has a combination lock, so it can double as a safe stow for your purchases in your hotel room. Bring loose fitting clothes that cover your legs, remember it is cold at night in winter in Egypt, also having leg covering and high socks may put the mosquitos off if you are out and about at dusk.

[Bellydancingcaroline]

Remember to bring some rehydration salts for when (if) you are sick, plus some antiseptic hand wash for after your touched money, or used a toilet outside the hotel (some do not have hand washing facilities). Shiras website is really good for all this stuff.

[amity]

Oh ladies I love you! This will be my first trip out of the country. I am applying for my passport this week, and visa's are ok and easy to get in Cairo as Shira said, anything else? Shots?

What about shipping costumes back? Do you have to pay taxes/export charges? That's how I am going to help pay for my trip. I am taking out a loan to go, and shopping like a mad woman and bringing back as many D and A cup costumes and marking them up a little bit, but still cheap.

Best places to take classes?

[Lauren_]

Good luck finding D cup costumes in Cairo! I think we found more at Yasser's than anywhere else.

[amity]

And guess where I am going shopping first :)

Yasser costumes are the only costumes I've found that I actually fit into the top!